Holding device for an optical element

ABSTRACT

A holding device for an optical element, is formed at least in part, of a silicon-containing aluminum material.

PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] Priority is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. §119 to German patent application serial number 102 39 522.5 filed on Aug. 23, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to the field of optics. More particularly, the invention relates to a holding device for an optical element.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Optical elements such as lenses, plain plates, mirrors, prisms, and others are used in optical imaging devices, for example camera objectives, telescopes or binoculars. Optical elements of this type generally consist of glass and are held on a support device by means of metal or plastic components. To achieve a high imaging quality with optical imaging devices, it is necessary for these holding devices to have a high mechanical stability. If optical imaging devices are exposed to changing environmental influences, such as for example temperature fluctuations, there is a risk of the optical elements of the imaging device in the imaging beam path moving. In the case of imaging devices, this causes color errors and geometric image errors. Errors of this type can also be produced by vibrations and bumps.

[0004] To increase the thermal stability of camera objectives, it is known, for example, from EP 0 298 058 B1 to provide an annular, slotted holding element made from aluminum for a lens. Radial recesses are situated at regular intervals at this holding element and have the effect of ensuring that the lens does not shift out of the optical axis of the objective in the event of temperature fluctuations despite the holding element and lens having a different expansion.

[0005] Particularly high stability requirements are imposed on objectives for aerial picture cameras. Aerial picture cameras of this type are required to provide a geometrically accurate image of an image area by means of an aerial picture. The picture resolution and the geometric picture stability has to be at least 2 μm over the entire image area. To satisfy these requirements over a wide temperature range from approx. −40° C. to approx. +70° C. and under vibrational and impact loads in flight, objectives of this type are made from metal materials, the expansion coefficient of which is matched to that of the optical glasses used in the objective. For aerial picture camera objectives, such as for example the objective DMC 4/120 mm produced by Carl Zeiss, therefore, the material X14 with a coefficient of thermal expansion α in the range from 10*10⁻⁶K⁻¹ to 11*10⁻⁶K⁻¹ is used for lens mounts, or alternatively titanium is used, the coefficient of thermal expansion of which is α=9*10⁻⁶K⁻¹. The outer housing of an objective of this type is usually made from special steel, for example X14 or X12. This allows the mechanical stresses which the outer housing exerts on the lens mounts to be minimized. However, the materials mentioned are approximately three times as heavy as aluminum. Aluminum is used as material for mounts and housings of conventional photographic objectives. On account of its high coefficient of thermal expansion of α=24*10⁻⁶K⁻¹, however, it is not suitable for use in objectives for aerial picture cameras. This would lead to excessive distortion and inadequate imaging performance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention provides a holding device for an optical element which has a low inherent weight and is suitable for use in highly stable objectives which can be used in particular in aerial picture cameras.

[0007] A preferred embodiment of a holding device for an optical element in accordance with the invention includes at least one member of a silicon-containing aluminum material. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a material which, at a temperature in the region of 21° C., has a coefficient of thermal expansion of α≦24*10⁻⁶K⁻¹ at a density of ρ≦7.5 g/cm³ is provided for at least partially supporting or otherwise holding an optical element such as a lens, plain plate, mirror or other optical element of an optical system or optical apparatus such as, for example, a camera, binocular, telescope, telescopic sight or other optical device. A process for producing a material of this type is described in DE 195 32 244 C2, DE 195 32 253 C2 and DE 195 32 252 A1 which are all expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entireties to form part of the present disclosure. These documents ex plain that this material is a wear-resistant, thermally stable material which is suitable for cylinder liners in engines.

[0008] The holding device consists, at least in part, of a silicon-containing aluminum material, in which the silicon content is selected in such a way that the thermal expansion coefficient of the silicon-containing aluminum material is substantially matched to the thermal expansion coefficient of an optical element in the holding device. In this way, it is possible to keep mechanical stresses between an optical element in the holding device and the holding device itself constant over a wide temperature range.

[0009] The optical element may comprise, for example, and not by way of limitation, a lens, a plain plate, a mirror and/or a prism. In this way, it is possible to create an optical instrument, the stability or performance of which is not impaired in the event of changing environmental influences.

[0010] The holding device of the invention may suitably, for example, and not by way of limitation, be formed to make up all or part of a lens mount. The holding device may alternatively be configured to make up all or part of an objective housing. In this way, it is possible to provide an accurate, thermally stable high-performance objective.

[0011] Preferably, the silicon content in the aluminum material is more than 15% by weight. This ensures that the aluminum material has good machining properties.

[0012] Even more preferably, the silicon content in the aluminum material is more than 30 or, most preferably, more than 40% by weight. This creates a particularly lightweight holding device.

[0013] Optical element holding devices according to the invention are suited to a variety of applications. They are particularly suitable for use in aerial photography cameras, especially those deployed in light aircraft and unmanned projectiles where maintaining light weight while still providing precision performance is of particular concern.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0014]FIG. 1 is a side cross sectional view of an objective for an aerial picture camera illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] As illustrated in FIG. 1 and is described below, FIG. 1 shows an objective 1 for an aerial picture camera 1 a constructed according to the present invention. The objective 1 comprises an objective housing 2 in which objective lenses 6, 7 and 8 are held by means of mounts 3, 4 and 5.

[0016] In accordance with the invention, at least one and preferably each of, the objective housing 2 and the mounts 3, 4 and 5 is a member which is formed at least in part, but preferably wholly, of an aluminum alloy which, according to a preferred form of the invention, has the following composition: Silicon:  33-35% by weight, Iron: 1.8-2.2% by weight, Nickel: 0.8-1.2% by weight, Aluminum: Remainder.

[0017] An aluminum alloy of this type is marketed by PEAK Werkstoff GmbH, Siebeneicker Strasse 235, 42553 Velbert, Germany, under the trade name “Dispal®” and has the following physical properties: Property In the range Unit Value Density 21° C.   g/cm³ 2.62 Coefficient 21-100° C. 10⁻⁶/K   12 of thermal 21-200° C. 10⁻⁶/K   13 expansion 21-300° C. 10⁻⁶/K   14 21-400° C. 10⁻⁶/K   14

[0018] By changing the silicon content in the alloy, it is possible to set the expansion coefficient of the material for the holding device and in this way to match it to the expansion coefficient of the glass of an optical element which is used, for example of a lens. PEAK offers the material with a silicon content between 17% by weight and 35% by weight. In addition to a good wear resistance and a high rigidity, this material has good machining properties and has a high strength even at high temperatures of use.

[0019] It should be noted that it is also possible for only the objective housing (2) or portion(s) of it to be made from an aluminum alloy as described, while using a different material for some or all the lens mounts or vice versa.

[0020] While the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 shows holding devices for a lens, those skilled in the art will appreciate in light of the present disclosure that a holding device according to the present invention can be constructed in any desired shape as appropriate to at least partially support or otherwise hold other optical elements or combinations of optical elements of various kinds including without limitation lenses, plain plates, mirrors, prisms and/or others. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A holding device for an optical element, said holding device, comprising: at least one member formed of a silicon-containing aluminum material.
 2. A holding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the silicon content of said silicon-containing aluminum material is selected in such a way that the thermal expansion coefficient of said silicon-containing aluminum material is matched to the thermal expansion coefficient of the optical element.
 3. A holding device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the optical element comprises at least one of: a lens, a plain plate, a mirror, and a prism.
 4. A holding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, said member comprises at least a portion of a lens mount.
 5. A holding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, said member comprises at least a portion of an objective housing.
 6. A holding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the silicon content of said aluminum material is more than 15% by weight.
 7. A holding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the silicon content of said aluminum material is more than 30% by weight or more than 40% by weight.
 8. A holding device as claimed in claim 1, said material is a material which, at a temperature in the region of 21° C., has a coefficient of thermal expansion α≦24*10⁻⁶K⁻¹ at a density of ρ≦7.5 g/cm³.
 9. A holding device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said member comprises a part of an aerial picture camera. 